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Species · Wisconsin · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Wisconsin has surged: up 341% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+341%Since 1968TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
89Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
59YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Pileated Woodpecker Trends in WisconsinNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc increasecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Pileated Woodpecker has surged in Wisconsin: up 341% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Wisconsin

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Wisconsin is projected to rise about 35% by 2030 — from 1.3 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.8 (95% range 1.4–2.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16.7%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+35%Change by 2030TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
1.8Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
1.4–2.295% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±16.7%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Wisconsin is projected to rise about 35% by 2030 — from 1.3 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.8 (95% range 1.4–2.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16.7%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20261.71.32.1
20271.71.32.1
20281.81.42.2
20291.81.42.2
20301.81.42.2

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Wisconsin

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Wisconsin.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Cavour920251998
Conover720251998
Bashaw720251999
Bayfield620251967
Weirgor Springs520242008
Gresham520251998
Union Twp420251977
Popple River420251966
Amnicon Falls420252003
Chaffey320251988
Iron River320251977
Mcnaughton320241967
Eagle River320251968
Washington I320251969
Mather320231971
N Freedom320251966
Pigeon Creek320242003
Montreal220251968
Dresser220251968
Loraine220251966
Weyerhauser220231972
Exeland220251970
Holway219881967
Rib Lake220251970
Irma220221980

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginia

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.